Now a ten-year-old, the Paul & Clare Rooney-owned gelding has been a stalwart of the Kim Bailey yard since his move from Donald McCain nearly three years ago.

Victories in the valuable Christmas handicap chase at Kempton and the Grimthorpe Chase and Doncaster flanked a second place spot in the Grand National at Aintree, but recently his enthusiasm for the game has dwindled.

Connections have now opted to send their gutsy competitor to Harry Fry to try and spice him up for what is likely to be his final season.

Bailey, who has lost one of his most seasoned chasers, paid tribute on his website: "It is always sad to lose a horse to another trainer, and especially one as popular and as much loved as TLS (The Last Samuri)."

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"Yes TLS will be hugely missed as he has been part of the furniture here for the last three years and wow what great days we have had on the racecourse with him too.

"'Sam started life with us by winning at Kempton in December 2015 which made him eligible for that seasons Crabbie's Grand National, and having waited on the weights announcement he then went on to win the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster in fine style. This set him up for the Grand National supposedly 12lb well in.

"How can I forget nearly winning that Grand National with him? it was heart-wrenching for all concerned, and we walked away saying, 'If only it had not rained'.

"Sam loves those Aintree fences and he has showed that with two fabulous runs in the Becher Chase under top weight. He is tough, honest and a fabulously versatile jumper which he showed again when finishing third in this year's Glenfarclas cross-country at Cheltenham.